Civil Unrest

Uchiha Itachi's hardline stance had left Hatake Kakashi at a loss, and incidents like this were happening all over Konoha.

The Uchiha Police Force didn't bother with words. They went straight after anyone who tried to stop them, beat them up, then slapped on handcuffs and tossed them aside. The villagers were naturally curious about gossip.

At first, they'd thought it was a scam to fleece them. But the more the Anbu Ninja tried to stop them, the more interested they became. As a result, all ten thousand newspapers sold out in less than two hours.

Those who'd managed to buy a newspaper took it home and started reading. One steamed bun shop owner even told his workers to buy several extra copies to wrap the buns in, then called out, "Buy a bun, get a newspaper free!"

Just like that, his shop gained a considerable edge over the competition! Countless people who hadn't managed to buy a newspaper lined up at the bun shop, leaving the owner grinning from ear to ear.

His competitor was so furious he could've spat blood. So that was why the old geezer had bought two hundred newspapers! Damn it!

And so, that day's issue made its way into every home. Then something strange began to happen.

Parents kept going to the Ninja Academy to take their children home. Even the great clans did the same. The students were baffled, but when they saw the grim look on their fathers' faces, they didn't dare say much.

The teachers were just as confused. They had no idea what was going on, so they went up to ask. The parents mocked them in response, even calling them lackeys!

The teachers were completely dumbfounded. What the hell? They taught and raised the next generation—how had they become lackeys? Just then, Nara Shikamaru sighed, pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket, and handed it to a teacher.

The headline that met the teacher's eyes as he unfolded the newspaper read, "Demon Fox or Hero's Son?" His attention was drawn in despite himself. After reading the first story, he slapped himself across the face.

"Umino Iruka, how could you? Naruto is the Fourth Hokage's son, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki who saved Konoha. You actually—you really..."

Umino Iruka's eyes reddened. He leaned against the wall and silently choked back sobs.

Iruka's reaction immediately drew the attention of all the other teachers. Just like Iruka, they'd all had their students taken away. Seeing him cry, they couldn't help going over to comfort him.

But Iruka wiped his tears, then told them the whole first story. Every teacher was stunned. They'd all thought that Naruto was the Demon Fox. They had no idea this was the truth!

After that, they picked up the newspapers and began reading. When they finished, many of the teachers looked grim. "Colleagues, I've decided to resign! I really don't want to work under a principal like this."

Once one person took the lead, the others followed suit. And so, the students were taken home, while the teachers resigned one after another.

At the hospital, the doctors fell silent as they looked at the injured ninjas groaning in pain. They decided to resign as soon as the surgeries were over. Konoha was far too dark; who knew when they might be forced to perform human experiments?

The blacksmith shop canceled all its orders from the Hokage Building and paid triple the penalty. They sneered at the Anbu Ninja. "You people can even turn on your own comrades. And you call yourselves ninjas?"

Just like that, workers in every trade went on strike, students stopped attending class, and some of the bolder villagers even took to the streets!

Uchiha Izuna stood atop Kage Rock with the corners of his mouth lifted. The real show was just getting started!

Just then, an Uchiha ninja appeared. "Lord Izuna, Hatake Kakashi's Sharingan has evolved into the Mangekyō Sharingan. I'm afraid he'll interfere with the upcoming Coup d'état!"

Uchiha Izuna glanced at him and helped him to his feet. "Thanks for your efforts. I'll make arrangements for this soon. All right, go back and get some rest. I still have things to take care of."

The ninja nodded and left at once.

Uchiha Izuna stood with his hands behind his back. "Sarutobi Hiruzen, have you ever considered what would happen if all the things you've done were exposed?"

Enjoy today while you can!

Konoha

The Anbu Ninja continued to apply pressure and arrest people, but the villagers of Konoha charged at them with pitchforks and rakes.

They didn't dare kill anyone, so they could only threaten the villagers as they retreated. The whole scene was ridiculous!

Hokage Building

Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed his hand against the desk. "So, the Uchiha! They've been marginalized all these years, yet they still won't behave. They've been collecting evidence against Danzo and me!"

"Clearly, I was too merciful back then. I should've let Danzo wipe the Uchiha Clan off the map!"

He clutched the newspaper in his hand, his voice trembling. Twenty years of achievements had been ruined in an instant. He would be branded with disgrace for all eternity!

After venting for ten minutes, Sarutobi Hiruzen panted as he spoke. "Where's Danzo? Where are his men? Tell him to send people to bring the villagers under control!"

The Anbu Ninja looked grim. "Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo shut the Root headquarters after hearing about this. No matter how much we knock, he won't answer."

Sarutobi Hiruzen roared, "Damn Danzo! He's deserted us at a time like this!" He was furious, but in the end there was nothing he could do.

Shimura Danzo sat in his chair as the leader of Root, his mood just as foul. Seven of the ten scandals in the newspaper were about him.

The worst part was that he'd actually done all of those things, and there was no way to refute them: the Death of the White Fang, obstructing the Uchiha from rescuing villagers, human experiments...

Shimura Danzo was furious. Who had leaked all this information? Soon, a figure came to mind. "Orochimaru!" Of course—it could only be him. He was the only one who knew about those despicable deeds.

As for the people inside Root, Danzo wasn't worried in the slightest. They'd been branded with the Cursed Tongue Seal. The moment they mentioned his secrets, they would die for no apparent reason.

But why had Orochimaru done this? Was he getting revenge for Danzo making him take the fall back then? Or was all of this Sarutobi Hiruzen's idea, meant to take him down?

But something didn't add up. Sarutobi Hiruzen had always been careful to protect his reputation, and the newspaper had clearly mentioned him too.

The Konoha Military Police Force watched the scene from a corner, quietly thrilled.

They hadn't expected a few sheets of paper to be able to stir up such strong public opinion.

Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi stood on a rooftop. But they weren't alone; Kakashi was there too.

"It looks like the villagers are furious. They're all over the streets," Uchiha Shisui said calmly.

"Mm," Uchiha Itachi replied simply.

Only Hatake Kakashi was covered in sweat. He hadn't expected ordinary people to become so formidable when they united.

"Is all the information in your newspaper true?" Kakashi asked, voicing his doubts as he looked at Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi.

The two shook their heads. "We don't know. Uchiha Izuna published the newspaper, and his information has always been reliable!"

Hatake Kakashi committed Uchiha Izuna's name to memory, nodded, and continued watching the tide of people.